Trump arrives in California amid protests over border wall

President Donald Trump has inspected the prototypes for the “big beautiful border wall” he wants to build to separate the US from Mexico.

The president, making his first trip to California as president, appeared engaged as he was briefed on eight border wall designs.

He said he preferred a fully concrete wall because it was the hardest to climb, but he noted that it needed to be see-through.

President Donald Trump reviews border wall prototypes (Evan Vucci/AP)

President Trump said the first thing he noticed on the drive to view the prototypes was the patched-up holes in part of the existing fence at the border.

“We have a lousy wall over here now, but at least it stops 90, 95%,” President Trump said. “When we put up the real wall, we’re going to stop 99%. Maybe more than that.”

President Trump’s visit was greeted with peaceful protests by demonstrators both for and against his planned wall.

The trip also came amid an escalating battle between his administration and the liberal state, which has refused to help federal agents detain immigrants in the US illegally.

The president said Tuesday that the state’s sanctuary policies “put the entire nation at risk.” His Justice Department sued California last week over a trio of the state’s immigration laws.

“They’re the best friend of the criminal,” President Trump said. “That’s what exactly is happening. The criminals take refuge in these sanctuary cities and it’s very dangerous for our police and enforcement folks.”

California’s sanctuary policies are illegal and unconstitutional and put the safety and security of our entire nation at risk. Thousands of dangerous & violent criminal aliens are released as a result of sanctuary policies, set free to prey on innocent Americans. THIS MUST STOP!

Mr Faulconer, writing in The San Diego Union-Tribune, also said San Diego police work to protect everyone regardless of immigration status, an apparent dig at Mr Trump’s push to target illegal immigration.